About a week ago, I read an article in this month’s Restaurant News which featured the Bishop’s Landing Restaurant located in the Best Western Hotel in Owen Sound. Coincidently, this past weekend my wife and I were there for a wedding and stayed in the same hotel.
The Best Western
Because it was only a 2 ½ hour drive north to Owen Sound, we left on the same day of the wedding and opted not to spend another $170 per night. Considering, a town of only 22,000 people, I was surprised about the cost of staying there. Even though the bride and groom had arranged for a room block discount, the savings were insignificant.
The hotel was just like any other Best Western that you would expect - friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere. We arrived at about 11:30AM which gave us plenty of time before the ceremony at 1:00PM. Unfortunately, our room wasn’t ready and I never thought of requesting an early check-in. Luckily we were able to stay with some friends who checked in earlier. Forty-five minutes had passed and we finally checked into our room. Perfect timing, we changed and headed to the ceremony.
Big Change, Big Expectations
By far this was the shortest wedding ceremony we have ever attended. Ten minutes and it was done. Dinner was four hours away and now we had plenty of time to kill. I knew what I wanted to do - Eat! So, we headed back to the hotel’s restaurant. Bishop’s Landing Restaurant had undergone a major transformation. With the recent takeover by Genesis Hospitality, the restaurant was changed from a fine dining to more casual. The changes have been positive and the locals and corporate guests have enjoyed its improvements. This was enough for me to try it out.
The menu was satisfactory composing of the usual appetizers; calamari, breaded shrimp, nachos, chicken strips, green salad and a daily soup. The entrees composed of pasta, pizza, fish and steak. The menu was exactly what you would expect from a Best Western Hotel or any other three-star hotel. The restaurant was nearly empty with only one table of four including a baby. Considering it was 1:45 in the afternoon we disregarded any negative impressions. Bottom line, we wanted to eat.
Where is the Food?
Scanning quickly through the menu, we decided to order a calamari and breaded shrimp. Even though we were starving and dinner was four hours away, we wanted to save room for the big night. We overheard the other table had placed an order of garlic cheese bread. Fifteen minutes passed and the table of four hadn’t received their cheese bread nor did we receive our appetizers. The food wasn’t the only thing missing, the waiter was no where to be seen. Where could she be? I started to imagine all the possibilities. Could she be making the bread? Sprinkling the cheese on the bread? Rubbing the garlic on the bread? How about dusting our calamari? The possibilities were endless.
5 Minutes Later…
The waiter suddenly appeared bringing our food. Thank goodness, we could finally eat. To my surprise, the food was well presented and garnished. The calamari was in a light crispy batter that was accompanied with a Thai chili dipping sauce while the shrimp was nicely breaded and perfectly cooked. The outside was crunchy but not overcooked like many other breaded shrimp I have eaten. We were nearly done but looking over to the next table, there was still no cheese bread. My mind began to wonder again, listing the possibilities. Could the kitchen be out of bread? Were they running down the street to buy more bread? No explanation was given by the waiter, only an apology.
30 Minutes…
Thirty minutes had passed and still no cheese bread. We were surprised the guests were waiting so patiently without a fuss. Perhaps, they remained all cheery after downing two rye & cokes each and now splitting a beer. There wasn’t even a sound from their baby who was pre-occupied with the restaurant setting. We cleaned off our plates and thought of ordering more but we were not willing to wait again. Our attention immediately shifted to the table next to us. Five minutes later and 35 minutes in total, the cheese bread arrived. I couldn’t believe the time it took, but lucky for the server and the restaurant, the guests were willing to wait. I hope it was worth it.
Room Service
Dinner was at 5PM and even though I had plenty to eat, it wasn’t enough. We returned to the hotel at 9:30PM and without any hesitation I ordered room service, an 8oz. Angus Striploin with vegetables, French fries with gravy and cream of asparagus soup. Maybe if we ordered room service earlier, the food would have been faster. My meal arrived within 12 minutes and it definitely hit the spot. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare, but lacked seasoning. The fries were well seasoned and the gravy was just right. However, the soup was bland and the asparagus bits were stringy. Overall, the meal satisfied my hunger.
Change and Improve
New changes require constant improvements. Bishop’s Landing Restaurant certainly hasn’t been perfected. If Bishop’s Landing Restaurant is a destination hot spot, then it is imperative for them to do better. In a town of only 22,000, it would be a shame not to see the restaurant step up its game. With very limited choices of stay, the Best Western will perhaps continue be the best in the area. Hopefully they realize how much better it can be.
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